Injection Drug Users and Viral Hepatitis
Injection
drug users (IDUs) are at risk for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis
C virus (HCV) infection through the sharing of needles and drug-preparation
equipment. In addition, outbreaks of Hepatitis A infection have been reported
among IDUs; such outbreaks are believed to occur through both percutaneous
and fecal-oral routes. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
recommends that IDUs get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
Because of higher rates of infection among this population, CDC also
recommends testing IDUs for chronic HBV infection.
Guidelines and Recommendations
Recommendations for Identification and Public Health Management of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus InfectionMMWR 2008;57(RR-8)
Prevention
of Hepatitis A Through Active or Passive Immunization: Recommendations of
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
MMWR 2006;55(RR-7)
Hepatitis B Vaccination Recommendations for Adults; Appendix
A,
B,
C
PDF
version [PDF - 40 pages] (with appendices)
MMWR 2006;55(RR-16)
Outside CDC (
State/Local sites
